NEW mayor David Rickard has taken the reins at Bridport Town Council at its first meeting since the elections.

He succeeded six-times mayor Geoff Ackerman in the post and will be handed his gown in a mayor-making ceremony on June 1.

Maggie Ray was elected to continue as deputy mayor.

Coun Martin Ray succeeded Coun Rickard as the leader of the council at the annual meeting.

Coun Rickard, whose wife Anne will be mayoress, said: “We are both looking forward to it.

“It is a great honour and there are going to be lots of opportunities.

“We both love Bridport so much and I will have no problem selling Bridport at every opportunity, which I have been doing for ages anyway.”

Coun Rickard was first elected four years ago but has links with Bridport going back over 20 years.

Coun Rickard and his wife played their first gig as a duo in Bridport 25 years ago and have been involved in the area’s Local Exchange Trading System (Lets) scheme for more than 16 years.

He said: “We have had an association with Bridport for some years and have got to know a lot of people in the town.”

Coun Rickard is now deciding on his charity for the year and any issues or themes he wishes to follow before announcing them at the mayor-making ceremony.

The meeting was the first since the elections when the Lib Dems increased their majority by one seat to 13.

New councillors attended for the first time while Coun Ackerman briefly acted as chairman before handing over to Coun Rickard.

Coun Ackerman said: “I would like to thank the members for electing me as mayor for the past year, which I have greatly enjoyed.

“Coun Rickard has given wonderful service as leader and I am sure that he will make a good town mayor.”

He added: “Congratulations and the very best to you.

“I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.”

Coun Rickard nominated Coun Ray to succeed him as leader.

“He has all of the requirements to be leader and knows the workings of the council very well.

“He will make an excellent leader.”

The official mayor-making ceremony is an invitation-only event at the Mountfield council offices as the town hall is being renovated.

Coun Ackerman will give his review of the year before Coun Rickard sets out his intention for the next 12 months.

The annual meeting also confirmed the council’s committees and set out the process for appointments to local bodies and organisations.